The tallest tale can never tell
The drum of endless upward steps,
The mountains cruel exacted toll,
When wrung for air, here wretched stoops
The climber, with no cause at all.
For those who brave this wint'ry roof
And strive to shed the earthly mire,
Can clear their minds of care and strife,
Stand tall 'mongst giants, evermore
At peace, and stroll life's highways rough.
So climb if you will, life's begun
By looking well to ev'ry step,
But when the summit's last light's gone
The time has come, depart the top
To love, and life, and air again.
Mark Stone, March 2003